Former US President Donald Trump has vowed to introduce a reciprocal tax if re-elected, citing India’s high tariffs on foreign products as a major issue. In a speech delivered to the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday, Trump highlighted India as one of the countries imposing the steepest tariffs, singling it out as the “biggest charger” among major nations.
“India is a very big charger. We have a great relationship with India, especially with Prime Minister Modi. He’s a great leader and has done a great job,” Trump said. He added that despite India’s friendly approach, the country imposes tariffs as high as 150% on certain products, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He recalled meeting Harley-Davidson executives during his presidency, who told him about the challenges of selling in India due to these high tariffs.
Trump also mentioned that India had offered American companies the opportunity to avoid tariffs by setting up manufacturing plants locally, something Harley-Davidson eventually did. However, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with such arrangements, hinting that they forced companies like Harley-Davidson to relocate some of their operations outside the US.
The former president’s comments follow recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier in the week, Trump described Modi as “the nicest human being” and a “friend of mine,” recalling the success of the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston in 2019. He also noted India’s strength and resilience, sharing a story about Modi’s firm stance on national security.
Trump’s reciprocal tax plan aims to level the playing field for American businesses facing high tariffs in foreign markets. He emphasized that while the US charges little to no tariffs on many imports, countries like India, China, and Brazil impose steep charges on American goods. By addressing these imbalances, Trump hopes to bolster the US economy and encourage fair trade practices globally.
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